NGO Capability Building for Economic Development of Women

Since the last two decades, women have become an important part of the development process. The present scenario depicts a very conducive environment for women to come forward and become economically independent.

Many government and non government agencies in the country are involved in developing women and are now responding positively to economic development programs for women. In the recent developmental policy, voluntary agencies are recognized as the basic source in reaching out at the grassroots levels to achieve this objective.

The need for leading women towards economic development is twofold:

If women are to be empowered in the real sense, making them economically independent is one of the best alternatives

If women take up economic activities and become independent, their families will have better living standards

An urgent need has been perceived to institutionalize economic development activities for women in existing or new agencies in the country. The process of institutionalization can succeed only if the implementing agencies have the right skills and manpower.

In this endeavor, India Canada Cooperation Office (ICCO) of the Canadian High Commission identified the need to strengthen the capabilities of women agencies involved in women development. This is because there exists a gap between the requirements of specialized skills of the resource persons of women development agencies (for leading women towards economic independence) and their existing capabilities.

This challenging was entrusted to ICECD, who implemented two national programs within the broad framework of institutional capability building by training more than 50 trainers/facilitators/extension officers of women agencies covering 15 states of India. The program contributed significantly to develop the much needed pool of human resources in women development agencies (voluntary agencies). This, in a way, resulted not only in leading women towards self-employment/entrepreneurship, but also in generating new employment opportunities through micro/small enterprises.

Further, ICECD identified four states viz. Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and conducted a needs assessment study of the NGOs of these states and the following need based programs have been designed and offered:

Strengthening Management Capabilities of Women Development Agencies – 6 days

The training approach would be essentially participatory and practical. Emphasis would be given on immediate application of the new skills and knowledge acquired. The training will be supplemented by field visits, interaction with experts, exercises and games so as to give opportunities to apply their newly acquired skills.

Participants will also be given the opportunity to introduce their ideas to be implemented in their respective organizations through feedback questionnaire and preparation of action plans.

Experienced ICECD training faculty and resource persons will share their experiences through lectures, complemented with group discussions and informal discussions.

Field Work and Visits – This will give the participants the opportunity to become acquainted with practices in support and development of small enterprises and its management.

Simulation Exercises and Business Games – The attitudinal and behavioral development inputs will have various simulation exercises and business games to enable participants to assess behavior and attitudes.

Audio Visual Aids – Audio visual aids including slides and films will be used to substantiate the learning.